I am hoping that it'll change to where there are moments one can talk in combat, such as ask for Aid from a neutral party or even convince the attackers of something that makes sense.
Nope. You still don't need it. For first case Larian's AI already has quite simple and decent logic: it either joins the fight on one of the sides, either considers itself noncombatant and runs for hiding. For second case we can have it only specially prepared and scripted by Larian, like when Ethel ends the fight to ask to spare her, in this case they may add casting option in the dialog if needed.
